Lyme lifeboat crew’s SOS

Search is on for former RNLI members to join in 150th anniversary celebrations

LYME Regis lifeboat crew has sent out a mayday - to trace former crew members for a special reunion.

They want to invite as many ex-RNLI volunteers as possible to help them celebrate 150 years of a lifeboat service in the town.

So far organisers have traced the names of more than 100 people who served either as sea–going or shore crew.

Some have sadly passed on, but it is hoped to invite up to 70 when the anniversary is officially recognised during Lifeboat Week on July 28.

Lifeboat Operations Manager Grahame Forshaw said: ”We are very keen to mark the anniversary properly and to invite everyone who helped us reach this milestone.

“Invitations will be sent to as many people as possible but addresses may have changed so we are asking anyone interested in attending on July 28 to get in touch.”

The numbers to ring to ensure an invitation are 07769655362 or 07974268504.

The anniversary event will be hosted in a marquee on the slipway by Michael Vlasto, Operations Director of the RNLI, who will present the Lyme Regis crew with a framed vellum.

Four members of the crew in 1979 will have plenty of reason to recall their service with the Lyme Regis lifeboat.

Helmsman John Hodder and his crew Paul Wason, Graham Turner and Colin Jones – who is still a volunteer – rescued four people from the yacht White Kitten in storm force conditions and were all recognised for their courage.